I know I know......You just got the dang G-11. I spoke with Mike B for awhile today and have been going back and forth since the Pro was announced. I have learned that one needs to look at several things and FINALLY settle. So in the interest of A: Future proofing myself and B: I have always been a supporter of Celestron and the CGE. Based on the specs I'm hoping it is impressive. I do have two concerns and that is the height of the mount. Any idea of the height from the bottom of the electronics pier to the top of the saddle? Is the counterweight shaft diameter the same size as the CGE? I have 2 CGE CW's that I'm hoping to be able to use.

The height may be a killer though. I built the obervatory walls sized to the CGE/NJP I had and they acted as a great windbreak. The Pro looks REALLY tall though. I'd hate to have to cut a 12" diameter concrete pier, drill and epoxy new pier bolts in place

The saddle is three knobs. Four knobs for the clutch locks.There is no comparison when it's slewing with the CGE. It's quiet the neighbours will enjoy the sleep. The cables are similar to aircraft cables with the J-type connectors. I don't anticipate any problems with them.

Your going to enjoy the mount. I'm very happy with mine.
Bottom of pier to top of saddle on mine is 31". Haven't tried a CGE counterweight but it looks the same I'll check for you later today.

Phil

31" - WOW that is one TALL mount, huh? This is making me glad I made the call (last night!) to go with the MI250 - its more like 21"; which is close to my CGE, which works very well with my wall height...

Unlike Bobby, I have no concrete I can "cut"... I'd hafta buy a new pier - ka-ching...

But, I'll still be interested, because I did LOVE my CGE; I like the interface and overall stability and excellence... that capacity on the CGE-Pro is very attractive, and lets face it - from the pics - it is gorgeous! (to me)...

Congrats Bobby... maybe see/meet you at NEAF (after all much of your "ex gear" seems to be meeting me!)

I looked at the MI250. Nice mount very well made but I've used the Gemini and I think it's primative. That's why I went with the CGE Pro. If the MI250 had a more modern goto system I probably have bought one.

Attached Files

Just looking at that picture gives me the willies bad! I just finished painting the inside of the roll off with a nice satin black paint and doing a spring cleaning. I can get my hands on a wet saw but man oh man it would still be a mess I think. I'm up at my property right now but come Monday I am going to need to do some serious measuring.

For me, this will be equivalent to buying a 900 class mount and with it's payload will be the foundation of my final rig. I was REALLY considering Jason's/My old MI but it was just outside the financial ballpark.

I'm hoping the CW shafts are the same size as I held onto 2 15lb Casady CW's from my last CGE's I had and would love to use them with the Pro.

I love the screw connect cables and although I think overkill, the 4 knob clutch system is cool. I think they added it for those who may try to test the 90lb Payload.

I agree the AP mounts are stupidly smooth when it comes to PE and I don't expect the Celestron to be as smooth but as long as it's tolerable it should be fine with the Fl's I'm working with.

I am a bit concerned as it seems at least 1 owner took delivery of a Pro and it was DOA out of the box Hope fully Mike will let me plug the one in at NEAF and slew it around before I pack it up.

Not at my house BUT........I'm finishing up a 12" pier at my property up in Mass. which will eventually be surrounded by a 12X12 roll off. That pier I made shorter than this one to take advatnage of the horizons and Mage 6+ skies......

My wife's from Corning, and my Father in law still lives in Elmira... we get there several times a year... I'm thinking next family visit there, I'm gonna hafta "hop out" and visit Cherry Springs, about an hour away...

Seems to me it's pretty hard to go wrong in the $5K and up range... funny, that...

clear enough skies

I think you'll get an "AMEN" from other Gemini users when I tell you to read the manual. If you follow the instructions, it is not a big learning curve, but if you try to do it like the typical male (instructions? we don't need no stinkin' instructions ), you'll be cursing everyone one of we MI250 owners for giving you bad advice.